Theaputic

When in doubt of emotional stability, one should follow these simple steps:

1. Cook. It seems that standing in the kitchen, regardless of how cold the floor tiles are, makes a difference. Cooking allows creativity and consistency to happen at the same time. Whether it’s something you have never made before or a classic pasta dish that never goes wrong, cook. It’s food for the soul. Literally.

2. Plan visits. My girls came this weekend. It was a quick 24 hour trip, but made a HUGE impact on my emotional disposition. It’s also incredible how being friends since college has provided that loophole of it doesn’t matter how long we haven’t seen each other, we’ll just pick up where we left off. There was comfort in the conversations of work stress, home life perils, significant other or lack of complaints. And comfort in cheese. Lots of cheese. And cupcakes. And bread. And coffee. And wine. In no specific order.

3. Plan ahead. Thinking of things that are coming ahead on the calendar allows for anticipation and excitement to come through, healthy emotions that hopefully will kick ass on the ones getting you down. Writing things on the calendar or having a countdown (reasonable numbers work, hundreds not so much) also shows you when something you actually want to do is coming around the corner.

4. Don’t ignore that you are turning 29. Or whatever milestone year that is freaking you out. Not sure if it’s the number or how fast time is going, but make it stop! Please. And. Thanks. One solution is to pretend it doesn’t bother you, it may actually become reality as it’s hard to be miserable while celebrating. For example, heading to Mercato for an amazing dinner with the brother, his girlfriend and the roommate and then off to the symphony at Bard is an excellent distraction. And delicious, fun and memorable.

5. Give it up. Clearly dwelling on misery isn’t going to allow it to leave. I know, what a novel idea.

6. Don’t watch the weather. It’s never right, it’s going to snow no matter what s/he says and if you’re luck the sun will come out and it won’t feel like 12. Again.

7. Eat ice cream. Or whatever treat that you can have a bite of and feel a lil better. Moderation IS key, but hit the gym a little harder, starve yourself tomorrow or just pack on a few till spring. That’s why they make bulky sweaters and leggings.

More to come on how to make yourself feel better… it’s been a full-time job lately, so there are some pointers that may get us all through it.

“Healing takes courage, and we have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.” ~ Tori Amos